Microsoft appoints senior leadership team in Middle East & Africa

Microsoft International is responsible for all sales, marketing and services activities for the regions outside of North America. Faramawy will report directly to Jean-Philippe Courtois, President of Microsoft International and Senior Vice President of Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft also announced a new organizational structure for the region that covers North Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan. Under the new structure, seven countries — Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Pakistan and Tunisia — will report to one subsidiary office team, led by Sherif Seddik as Regional Director.

By creating a single subsidiary, Microsoft will be able to focus its resources in the region more efficiently, and offer customers and partners increased value, quality of service and unlimited opportunities. Each country office will be retained with a dedicated country manager and a team on the ground to work closely with local customers and partners, and will be empowered to make further investments to grow the IT sector. The country offices and their management are now ready to further develop their roles in growing the business, supporting their partners and serving their communities.

In parallel with the new structure, two senior executives — Charles Nahas, previously the General Manager of Eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan, and Nasser Kettani, previously the General Manager for North Africa — will be taking on new strategic roles within the new region, enabling them to use the experiences they have gained to further develop the business opportunities in those regions.

"Middle East and Africa represents one of Microsoft's fastest growing, most dynamic and diverse markets. We have eight Microsoft subsidiaries and 30 offices in the region, which encompasses more than 70 countries across three continents. Ali has been instrumental in the growth and success of our business here," said Courtois. "His joining the Microsoft International management team reflects the growth and opportunity that Microsoft sees in the MEA region, and ensures that MEA is represented in our management structure."

"MEA is a diverse and expanding region encompassing both developed and emerging economies," said Faramawy. "Microsoft recognizes this diversity and wants to empower its subsidiary and sales office teams to even better connect and support customers and partners to ensure they realize an even greater value from Microsoft's products and services. Sherif Seddik has a strong success record managing Microsoft's Middle East and Africa headquarters, and in this role he will be ensuring that our offices and teams are managed in a cohesive way across North Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and Pakistan, while I will be representing the region at the highest level."